Developing Guitar Legato

Andrew Wasson. Graduated from Hollywood California's Guitar Institute of Technology. Operates Music School and CreativeGuitarStudio.com

Posted on Dec 23, 2015 09:19 am

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This week, I run through what needs to be done with regard to developing guitar legato technique.

Developing good guitar legato technique involves properly executing a lot of left and right hand technical skills. Some of them are the basic foundational playing skills. However, two skills are paramount to really nailing this skill.

When practicing the studies in this lesson plan, you'll want to focus on two primary areas. The first will involve the overall accuracy of your fretting-hand technique. The second involves spending your study time dedicated on the ability for building speed with legato.

NOTE: Use a metronome to build speed.

When practicing these concepts, it is important to pay a lot of attention to the feel of the attack upon the string and on keeping your hand very relaxed. Once good accuracy is developed, (with the tip of each finger), combined with the more relaxed that you are, you will absolutely begin having an easier time playing legato licks.

One other important element (your key component actually), is the use of a metronome. The steady click of using a metronome to develop your legato will go a long way in helping you to have excellent control.

This will grow to be very automatic for you, as well as, help you integrate the performance of legato runs into your personal style of playing. One final point: never play with pain. If your playing hand becomes stressed then take a break. Come back to practice again later, after your hand has had a chance to recuperate.

About the Author:Andrew Wasson is a 1992 Graduate of Hollywood California's Guitar Institute of Technology (G.I.T.). He has operated his Canadian Music School, Creative Guitar Studio, for the last 20+ years teaching thousands of guitarists both in studio sessions. You can learn more at his official website.

I've followed Andrew for at least 5 years on YouTube, but only recently have I gone and actually started to try and play through his intro. pieces from his weekly master-class guitar lessons, (on the Creative Guitar Studio channel). Those pieces are where my guitar playing really began taking off. Happy New Year Andrew. I think you're the best guitar teacher on the internet.